Metal wheel.



L. K THORSPEOKD METAL WHEEL. APPLICATION nun JULY 5,1912.

1,095,298, Patented May 5, 1914..

.ITE EE. 1-

LOUIS K. T'HORSPECK, F CASCO TOWNSHIP, ALLEGAN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

METAL WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 5, 1912.

Serial No. 707,739.

7 T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LOUIS K. TIIORSIECK, acitizen of the United States, residing at Casco township, county ofAllegan, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Metal Vheels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in metal wheels.

The objects of this invention are: First, to

improve the structure of such metal wheels generally. Second, to providean improved spoke structure. Third, to provide improved means forretainingthe spokes in p0- Fourth, to provide improved means ofretaining the outer ends-of the spokes in conjunction with the rim.Fifth, to provide an improved hub structure. Sixth, to provide animproved rim structure.

Further objects and objects relating to details and economies ofconstruction and op:

eration will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification- The invention is clearlydefined and pointed out in the claims. I

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification, in which:

Figure I is an elevation view of a wheel embodying the features of myinvention. Fig. II is an enlarged detail longitudinal sectional viewthrough the hub taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Figs. I andIII. Fig. III is an enlarged detail view of the structure in process ofconstruction with the hub portion in section, taken on a linecorresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. II. Fig. IV is an enlarged detailelevation'view of the hub blank 4 before it has been folded and formedinto the wheel, the blank part being characteristic of'both hub plates.Fig. V is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on a linecorresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. IV, showing the form of the blank.Fig. VI is a similar enlarged detail sectional view of the blankappearing in Fig. V, partially formed. Fig. VII is a similar detailsectional view showing the blank completely folded and formed; Figa VIIIis an enlarged detail transverse sectional view through the r m portionin process of formation, taken on a line corresponding to line 88 ofFig. III. Fig. IXis a similar detail sectional view on line 99 of Fig. Ishowingthe rim conformed to embrace a half round tire. Fig. X is asimilarview of a modification of the structure showing a round rubbercushion tire. F igQXI is a modification in which a flat rim is provided.

In the drawing similar numerals of reference refer to similar partsthroughout the several views, and the sectional views, etc.

Considering the numbered parts of the drawing, the rim 1 is of metalsuitably per,- forated and grooved and may be produced eitheribystamping or by rolling and welding, or the like.

2 is the hub barrel, having an outturned flange 3 with serrations at oneend anda reduced portion which is expanded into a flange 3"at the otherend. A separate hub plate 4 is formed with a tubular extension 5 at thecenter, which is toothed with ratchet shaped teeth 5 as clearly appearsfrom an inspection of Figs. II and V. This flange is perforated at 6 andis formed asindicated in F ig, IV. The plates have extensions 7 whichwrap around. the inner ends of the spokes. The flange is perforated at-6 at intervals, as clearly appears in Fig. IV, through which the doubledspokes 8 extend, the same being folded at the center somewhat like ahair pin. After the same have been folded, the extensions 7 are wrapped.

around the same as seen in Fig. II and as illustrated in detail at Fig.VII. A short piece of rod 10 is placed within the angle of the spokepieces so that it extendsstraight through the perforation 6 in thehubplate 4:, making a very secure and strong joint at that place, andWithout undue strain upon the metal at the point of perforation. Theouter ends 9 of the spokes are cut in half and serrated, so that theyare engaged the one within the other forming substan tially a continuouswire where the parts are brought into juxtaposition, as seen in processof manufacture in Fig. III. The spokes are bent at 8", 8", (see the leftpart of the Fig. III where the ends 9 are brought together). In theright hand port-ion of the figure the parts are in process of manufac-Patented May 5, 1914.

ture, the ends9 being folded down and partly brought'together in theprocess there indicated, When they are brought down together, the narrowgroove 14 of the rim is wrapped and closed around the same, the rimbeing perforated at 15 to receive the outer ends of the said spokes. Thesame is then folded and clamped around the spokes and the outer portions16 are folded upon themselves, as appears in Fig. IX and embracetheedges of a half round cushion tire 17.

A hub flange 11 is providedxwith a suitable tubular extension 12 to sliponto the reduced portion of the hub 2, and is folded upon itselfprecisely in the manner indicated for the hub fiange 4, the same beingfolded down at 13 corresponding to the fold 7. The spokes are preciselythe same. These parts are forced into position and the part 3 expandedto retain the same efi'ectively in position.

In the modification of the rim, the outer portion is turned up at 16 toreceive a round cushion tire as clearly appears in Fig. X. Theseportions may be out flat at 16 without any cushion tire of anydescription.

From this description which I have given it will be very clear that thiswheel is a very strong wheel, very simple to manufacture, and is veryartistic in appearance when completed, with perfectly straight spokeswithout any exposed uneven parts, and yet the spokes are effectivelyretained in place and cannot be removed without substantially destroyingthe entire wheel. There are no rivets or screws in the entire structure.The retaining means which locks the entire Wheel together is theexpanded portion 3' at the hub. The outer ends of the spokes are mosteffectively retained within the groove'and owing to their toothed endscannot be displaced and thus greatly strengthen the rim of the wheel.

I desire to claim the invention specifically as well as broadly, as,clearly appears in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a wheel the combination of a hub; doubled spoke pieces, the outerends of the same being cut in half and serrated to conform and engagethe one upon the other; and a sheet metal; rim perforated and grooved atthe center so as to receive the ends of the overlapped spokes within thegroove, all coacting substantially as described and for the purposespecified.

2. A wheel comprising a hub, metal spokes,.and a rim, the ends of thespokes be ing arranged through the rim and turned laterally andoverlapped in pairs, the overlapped spoke ends being flattened andserrated, the rim containing a trough-shaped recess extending around itssurface the walls of the trough being bent inwardiy toward each other toclamp the overlapped ends of the spokes together.

3. A wheel containing metallic spokes, and a metallic rim containing atroughshaped recess extending around its surface, the spokes havinglaterally turned ends passed through the rim and engaged in the bottomof the trough, the ends of adjacent spokes beingoverlapped and flattenedand serrated and held in position by being engaged by the walls of thetrough which are bent toward each other until they are closer togetherthan the diameter of the looped spoke ends.

4. A wheel comprising a rim containing a trough-shaped recess extendingaround its surface, a hub, and spokes having ends disposed approxlmatelyat right angles arranged through the rim and engaging the bottom of thetrough, the ends of adjacent spokes being overlapped, the overlappedportions being serrated, the overlapped ends being engaged by the wallsof the trough which are closer together than the diameter of the spokeends. I

5. A wheel containing metallic spokes, and a rim, the spokes having endsdisposed approximately at right angles to the spokes in a trough-likerecess in the rim and engaged by the walls thereof which are closertogether than the width of the spoke ends, the ends of adjacent spokesbeing overlapped and provided with inter-locking parts.

6. A wheel containing metallic spokes and a metal rim, the spokes beingarranged through the rim and having ends disposed approximately at rightangles to the spokes in a trough-like recess in the rim, the ends ofadjacent spokes being ovelrlapped and provided with inter-locking parts,and means for clamping the overlapped spoke ends together.

7. A wheel comprising a hub, doubled spokes secured at their doubledends to said hub, one-half of the spokes being secured at each end ofthe hub, and a rim containing a trough-shaped recess extending aroundits surface, the ends of the spokes being arranged through the rim andbent laterallv into the bottom of the trough with the ends of adjacentspokes overlapping, the overlapping spoke ends having interlockingportions and being engaged by the walls of the trough, which are closertogether than the diameter of the overlapped spoke ends, one spoke ofeach coengaging pair radiating from each end of the hub.

8. A Wheel comprising a hub, doubled spokes secured at their doubledends to said hub, one-half of the-spokes being secured at each end ofthe hub, a rim containing a trough-shaped recess extending around itssurface, the ends of the spokes being arranged through the rim andbent'laterally. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set into the bottomof the troughin overlapping my hand and sealv in the presence of twopairs, the overlapping spoke ends having witnesses. Q inter-lockingparts, one spoke of each pair LOUIS K. THORSPECK, [us] radiating fromeach end of the hub, and Witnesses:

nieans for clamping the overlapped .ends'of' LEO F. GLANDE, said spokestogether. Ronnmox K. ANGUS.

